Australian & New Zealand Avocado Growers
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Australian & New Zealand Avocado Growers Conference VISION 2020 Conference Handbook Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia 3rd June to 7th June 2001 Proudly hosted by The Australian Avocado Growers' Federation and the New Zealand Avocado Growers' Association and supported by Horticulture Australia A Welcome to all delegates On behalf of The Australian Avocado Growers' Federation and the New Zealand Avocado Growers' Association it gives us great pleasure to welcome you to Bundaberg for the The Australian & New Zealand Avocado Growers Conference ‘VISION 2020 During the next four days we will take a good look at the future of the Avocado industry in Australia and New Zealand. Together we will examine the issues that are most likely to impact on our industry over the next few years and spend some time working towards developing strategies that will ensure we are well equipped to take advantage of every opportunity. Looking at the list of participants it is gratifying to note that we have representatives from all states of Australia as well as a large contingent of New Zealanders and several delegates each from South Africa, the USA and Israel. This is to be an interactive Conference where delegates and presenters are encouraged to openly discuss the issues at hand. Agree or disagree, we want to hear from you. Silence is not Golden in this forum and whilst the focus will be on gaining knowledge from the presenters we urge you to actively participate by joining in the debate and sharing your knowledge with your fellow delegates. The Social Activities are another opportunity for us to all catch up and continue discussions so make sure you are arriving in time for Sunday nights Welcome Reception at historic Fairymead. Of course we would like to see you all at the Gala Dinner on Tuesday night where the Master himself (Mr Greg Doolan) will entertain everyone with his marvelous music and special style of irreverent humour. Join us for a happy hour on Monday evening and on Wednesday evening there will be a casual night with a Barbecue in the Rotary Park. Whilst ‘Vision 2020’ may have originally been a play on words – over the past several months it has become an invaluable tool, reminding us that we do need to keep looking ahead. We see this Conference being a successful medium within which we can strengthen our Trans Tasman ties and really put into action what we learn. We especially welcome our Sponsors and Trade Exhibitors as without their generous support it would have been much more difficult to stage an event of this calibre. We look forward to meeting you all at some time during the Conference, we thank you for attending and supporting our Industry. Rod Dalton John White Chairman Chairman AAGF NZAGA The Chairmen and Directors of the Australian and Avocado Growers’ Federation and the New Zealand Avocado Growers’ Association wishes to express its sincere appreciation to all Sponsors of this Conference About the Conference REGISTRATION INFORMATION The Registration desk will be open in the Moncrieff Theatre for delegates each day till the end of the Conference at the following times for daily Registrations, any additional tickets and for all inquiries. 3.00pm – 6.00pm Sunday 3rd 7.30am to 6.00pm Monday 4th 7.30am to 1.30pm Tuesday 5th 7.30am to 1.30pm Wednesday 6th 7.30am to 8.30am Thursday 7th Business Sessions Business Sessions will be in the Moncrieff Theatre in Bourbong Street all day Monday and on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Session times 8.30am – 6.00pm Monday 8.30am – 12.30pm Tuesday Morning 1.30pm – 5.00pm Field Trip Tuesday afternoon 8.30am - 12.30pm Wednesday Morning 1.30pm – 5.00pm Field Trip Wednesday afternoon 8.30am - 4.30pm Thursday Field Trip Lunch and Morning and afternoon teas These breaks will be held in the Civic Centre, Bourbong Street directly across the street from the Moncrieff Theatre. Trade Exhibition The Trade Exhibition will be held in the Civic Centre as above. Field Trips Tuesday 5th June Coaches depart from outside the Civic Centre in Woongarra Street at 1.00pm sharp Wednesday 6th June Coaches depart form outside the Civic Cente in Woongarra Street at 1.15pm sharp Thursday 7th June The Field Excursion to the Avocado Orchards will depart from Woongarra Street at 8.30am sharp Messages A Message Board will be located next to the Registration Desk from Sunday afternoon till Thursday evening. Please note there is no paging service available. In an emergency please contact Rob Donkin on mobile 0438 132 477. Social Functions If you are a Full Time Delegate, tickets to lunches, morning and afternoon teas and ALL Social Functions are included in your Registration package. If you are an Accompanying Person, tickets to the Welcome Function at Fairymead House, the Opening Business Session and morning tea on Monday the Conference Gala Dinner on Tuesday evening and the barbecue on Wednesday evening are included in your Registration package TICKETS MUST BE PRODUCED TO GAIN ENTRY TO ALL FUNCTIONS Sunday 3rd June – Welcome Function – 6.30 - 8.30pm There is a Welcome Function with drinks and a light meal this evening at Fairymead House, in the Botanic Gardens. A shuttle bus will run from the Tropical Gardens, via Takalvan Street and Bourbong Street to Fairymead House. Please advise Registration Staff if you need transport. Monday 4th June – Drinks in the Civic Centre. 6.00 – 7.00pm Please join fellow delegates for an hour after the end of the day’s business sessions. You then have the evening free to make your own dining arrangements. Tuesday 5th June – Conference Gala Dinner 7.00 - 11.30pm The Gala Dinner will be held in the Bundaberg Civic Centre on Tuesday evening commencing with pre dinner drinks at 7.00pm. Following a delicious meal accompanied by excellent wines we have arranged for Award winning performer, Greg Doolan and his band to entertain you and your guests. Wednesday 6th June – Casual Barbecue 6.30 – 9.30pm A barbecue is to be held at the Rotary Park on Wednesday evening on the way back from the field trip. Additional tickets to Social Function and lunches Daily Registrants and guests will need to purchase tickets if they wish to attend the Social Functions. Subject to availability, tickets can be purchased at the Registration Desk. These may be obtained up to 24 hours before each function. Cost of additional tickets All lunches $18.00 Welcome Function $35.00 Gala Dinner – Tuesday $90.00 Barbecue Dinner – Wednesday $25.00 Please note: No refunds can be given as numbers will have been confirmed with the Venue Name Badges Each Conference attendee will be issued with a name badge at Registration. This is the Official Pass and we ask that you wear them at all times. Delegates not wearing Names Badges will not be admitted to Business Sessions, Lunches or Social Functions. Should you lose your badge we will be delighted to make a replacement for you. This can be organised at the Registration desk. GENERAL INFORMATION Conference Attire Light winter clothing is suggested with a warm jacket for evenings and early mornings. As a general guide we would suggest the following minimum dress codes: Welcome Function – Smart Casual Business sessions - Smart Casual Gala Dinner - Dressy Casual to optional Cocktail attire for ladies and optional jackets or suits for gentlemen Barbecue – Field visit clothes / Smart Casual Field Trips and Tours Comfortable clothes with appropriate footwear Accommodation Accounts All bookings made through the Congress Secretariat will have the deposit you paid credited to your room account. You will need to pay the remainder plus any extras upon departure. Transfers Coaches will be available to transfer delegates and partners to Fairymead House on Sunday evening departing at 6.15pm. Please advise the Registration Desk if you require transportation Accompanying Persons Program If you had indicated on the Registration Form that you wished to take part in an Accompanying Persons Tour or have since decided you would like to enjoy some of the special attractions the Region has to offer please visit the Registration Desk after the Business Program has commenced on Monday morning for further information or to arrange bookings. BUSINESS PROGRAM Sunday 3rd June 3.00-6.00pm Registration 6.30 – 8.30pm Welcome Reception – Fairymead House, Botanical Gardens, North Bundaberg Monday 4th June 7.30am Conference Registration – Moncrieff Theatre 8.30am Welcome Rod Dalton, Chairman, AAGF John White, Chairman, NZAGA Official opening Senator Judith Troeth, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator for Victoria 9.15am Session 1. Chairperson Rod Dalton Adoption of Field Practices to Assist in Expanding Avocado Markets. Dr Anthony Whiley - Principal Horticulturist (Research), Queensland Horticulture Institute, (QHI) Avocado production in Australia and New Zealand continues to increase due to an expansion in the numbers of trees planted over recent years. There is some urgency to find new markets either by expanding domestic consumption or developing new outlets. Low consumer confidence due to unpredictable quality is hindering expansion of the Australian domestic market. This may be addressed in part by the adoption of production practices that increase the ability of fruit to withstand the stresses imposed when passing through the market chain. These are reviewed in the light of the most recent results from R and D programs. 10.00 - 10.45am Morning break – Civic Centre 10.45am Session 2. Marketing Avocados into the Future Chairperson Mary Ravanello 10.45 – 11.25am Future Trends for the Sales, Marketing, Packaging and Consumption of Avocados Avi Crane – Vice President, Calavo International, California. A number of case studies will be used to highlight the trends and opportunities for avocado marketing towards 2020 11.25 – 11.55am Moving beyond “Commodity” – Positioning Avocados for the Future Lisa Cork, Produce Marketing Strategist -The Marketing Department Ltd.